Check handling apparatus



may 25 1937- Q c. J. BREITENSTEIN ET AL 9 CHECK HANDLING APPARATUS Filed March 14, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 25, 1937'. c. J. B'REITENSTEIN ET AL 9 CHECK HANDLING APPARATUS I Filed March 14, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flonazalzi oolier- '2 2 y fiauqglw Patented May 2 1937 barrel) STATES PATENT.

M ICE CHECK HANDLING APPARATUS Charles J. Breitenstein and Donald E. Hooker, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Raymond T. Molcney,

Chicago, Ill.

Application March 14, 1936, Serial No. 68,852

16 Claims. (Cl. 312-67) and tokens.

In apparatus of this kind for dispensing the checks, or the like, from an upright magazine there is usually provided an ejector, which may be in the form of a slide, operable across the lower end of the magazine to eject the checks therefrom. The ejector may be driven by an electromagnetic motor device, such as a motor, electromagnet or solenoid, and every time the device is energized the ejector is operable to make a stroke relative to the magazine. The ejector is formed with an opening registrable with the lower end of the magazine so that a check may gravitate into the opening and be carried over a tight bottom by the ejector to a point of discharge, whence the check drops through the ejector opening to be dispensed in a manner common in this art. The thickness of the ejector slide in relation to the thickness of the checks determines the number of checks to be handled on each stroke of the slide. Usually the slide is thick enough to receive one check; but sometimes as in the present disclosure, it is thick enough to receive and move two superimposd checks.

Sometimes it is desirable simultaneously to handle and dispense more checks or coins than it is possible for one ejector or slide of a given thickness to receive and move in a single stroke, and accordingly this invention provides an improvement whereby a plurality of ejectors are arranged in a manner relative to the magazine to enable one, or several, or all of them to operate, whereby any desired number of checks, within limits, may be handled and dispensed in a single stroke of the ejector mechanism.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved check handling mechanism.

Another object is to provide such a mechanism in which a plurality of independently and conjointly movable ejectors are provided for enabling any number of checks, within limits, to be handled and dispensecbas desired.

Still another object is to provide an improved, simplified control mechanism for determining whether one or more ejectors are to handle checks in a single stroke of the dispensing operation.

Another object is to provide a device operatively associated with the ejector mechanism to compensate automatically for varying thicknesses of checks handled to prevent jamming of the dispenser.

. Other important objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art as the disclosure isvmore fully made.

In carrying out the invention in a practicable embodiment there may be provided a base carrying a motor device, such for example as an electric motor having a movable part connected to drive i an ejector structure over a tight bottom and across the lower end of an upright magazine containing the checks, coins or tokens to be handled and dispensed. The checks are loaded into the magazine, oneon top of the other, in a stack or column with the checks gravitating to the bottom of magazine and resting on a solid part of an ejector. The ejector preferably, though not necessarily, comprises a plurality of independently movable fiat slides arranged in a pack one above the other and movable by a carrier reciprocated by the motor. Each slide contains a. check receiving opening operative when moved under the magazine to receive two checks by gravity since each slide is of a depth equal to the thickness of two checks. 7

When the lower slide has thus received two checks, the slide in its movement moves its two checks over the tight bottom to a point of discharge. If the lower two slides are, moved together then four checks will be handled. If the three lower slides move together then six checks will be handled, and so on. A simple control means is included in the mechanism to predetermine how many of the slides are to operate ccnjointly with the lower or main slide. A thickness compensator is provided to prevent jamming of the slides with the checks in the magazine when slightly worn checks are handled. So much will suflice in presenting a general view of the structure shown in detail in the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein: V

Figure 1 is a full size plan view of the improved check handling apparatus shown as a unit carried on a base plate;

Figure 2 is a detail, sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal cross sectional view through the unit taken along the line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of theunit;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the unit;-

Figure 6 is a detail, enlarged, perspective view to illustrate the operative relationship between a control member and the pack of dispenser ejectors, or slides; and,

Figure 7 is a similar View, showing these parts in a somewhat different relative position.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the apparatus is in the form of a unit mounted on a horizontal base plate I8, one end of which is formed with a hole I I of a size to permit a check or the like to drop therethrough, said plate at its bottom side including a sleeve I2 surrounding the hole.

An inverted U-shaped block I3 is formed with or carried on the base, the same including an upstanding socket portion I4 in which is remov ably mounted an upright cylindrical magazine l5 for carrying a stack, or column of checks or coins in a manner causing gravity to feed the checks, or the like, flatwise, downwardly into the block I3. One side of the block I3 carries spaced pins I6 for securing a bar I'I in place, said bar having one end bent downwardly as at I8 to form a stop as will later appear. The bar I! is slotted as at I9 so that the end I8 may be moved in or out relative to the end of the block I3 for adjustably setting the end 18. The magazine I5 as shown in Figure 3 is offset with respect to the "check drop opening II in the base ID.

A main, or lower check slide 28 is slidably guided through the tunnel in the block I3 at one end, where the slide is formed with a check receiving opening M and since the slide is of a thickness equal to the thickness of two superimposed checks it follows that the opening 2I when in registration under the magazine I5 may receive two checks to be moved by the slide 28. The opposite end of the slide 28 has a slot 22 for guiding and limiting the extent of its :to and fro movement by means of a headed pin 23 mounted on the base I0.

The main, or bottom slide '28 is formedwith an integral, upright wall 24 having a vertical slot 25 included therein. Alongside the block I3 the base 48 carries any suitable motor device which in the present instance is in the form of an electric motor 26 having a movable part 101 shaft 21 carrying a worm 28, which meshes with and drives a worm wheel 29. The latter wheel '29 is 'turnable with across shaft 30 suitably journaled in brackets .3I. The shaft 38 is projected toward the wall '24 andat that end carries and turns :a disk or blank wheel 32 on which is mounted an eccentric pin or roller '33 movable in the slot 25. It can be seen that the eccentric pin wheel .drives the slotted wall and thus serves to reciprocate the main slide 20 to and fro through the block :I3 and under the magazine 15.

Theend of the main slide28 which is projected through the block 13 is-abutted by a lever 34 pivoted by a pin 35 on the .base plate I0, said lever being pulled by a spring 36 (connected :between therefore supplies a force through the lever 34 for positively returning the main slide :to its starting position. An adjustable set screw stop 31 is carried on the plate Ill to limit the movement of the main slide '28 in relation to the magazine 15.

The main slide 28 along .one edge carries .a horizontal and laterally extending barrier plate 38 by means of a pair of screws I39'=m'ounted in the slide 28. Slots '40 are provided whereby the carrier plate may be adjustably set within =limits along the main-slide 28.

The end of the :plate 38 toward the magazine 15 is'upturned to provide an upright wall -'4I arranged at substantially 1a tright :angle to the direction of travel of the main slide 20. This wall is formed with a slot 42 through which is passed a pin 43. The pin 43 carries a rack tooth bar 44, the said bar having slots 45 riding pins 46 carried on the wall 4|, said pins having heads 41 to hold the bar 44 in place. Obviously, the rack bar 44 is ridable on the pins 46 transversely in parallelism with the wall 4!. The end of the bar 44 adjacent the main slide 20 is formed with steps numbered 48, 49 and 50 for a purpose later to appear. The upper edge of the bar 44 is formed with rack teeth as shown.

Above this bar 44 the wall 4I carries a pivot pin 5| on which is pivotally mounted intermediately of its ends, a double pawl lever 52 having stop teeth at opposite ends to engage the teeth on the rack bar 44. At one end the upper edge of the pawl lever 52 is formed with a right angular extension 53, carrying an armature piece 54, said extension 53 being connected with a pull spring 55 having its other end as shown in Figre5 connected to the adjacent pin 46 hereto- .fore described. Consequently the spring 55 normally pulls the lever 52 down at its left hand end as viewed-in Figure 5 with the left hand pawl tooth locked with the bar 44 to hold it agalnst shifting movement.

Above this armature element 54 is disposed the core of a vertical electromagnet 56 carried by a bracket 5! supported by the wall 4!. A lateral bracket 58 may be carried from the base plate I0 if desired, for mounting a guide or roller 59 to support the carrier plate .38 at its outer end. The plate 38 also carries a bracket structure 68 for supporting a horizontal solenoid 6!, which as best shown in Figure 1 includes a spring pushed core 62 the free end of which is notched -to-.carry an upright pin 63 mounted on one arm a check receiving opening 68, said slide being passed through the block I3 and provided at its end adjacent the bent end I 8 of the bar I1 with oppositely extending ears 69, one of which is pulled by a spring :ID extending alongside the main slide .28 and anchored to an upright pin II carried on the base plate Ill. The spring I8 obviously acts ,to pull the slide .67 to abut the ears169 thereof against the stop I8 which is positioned to register the opening 68 in said auxiliary :slide under and in registration With the magazine 15.

Above the .first auxiliary slide .67 is similarly positioned a second auxiliary slide ll having a check opening .12 and also provided with ears like those on the slide 61 for the same purpose .andalso being pulledby-another spring Illas has 7 been described.

sagewayfinithe block I3 said plate 15 carrying an upstanding rpin 21.8 to which is connected one end of .a pull :spring I?! lhaving its other end anchored to a pin I8 fixed in the stationary block IS. A stop pin 19 anchored in the plate limits the distance to which the spring 11 can pull the plate 15 into the block l3. This completes the detail description of the structure of the improved check, coin or token handling mechamsm.

In the starting position of the parts as shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, all electric parts such as the motor 26, the electromagnet 56 and the solenoid 6| are deenergized. The spring 35 is operative through the lever 34 to hold the main slide in the position shown in Figure 3 with the opening 2| thereof in registration with the magazine l5. Similarly, the springs 10 hold the three auxiliary slides 61, II and 13 in a corre-- sponding position so that their respective openings 6'1, 12 and 14 also register with each other and with the magazine l5, as well as with the main slide opening 2|. Further, the spring 11 holds the U-plate 15 in the position also shown in Figure 3 so that its U straddles the bore formed by the registering check drop openings. As a result, when the magazine I5 is loaded with. checks, or the like, they gravitate downwardly through these registering openings so that thecolumn of checks rests on the tight bottom provided by the top surface of the base plate Iii adjacent the dispenser chute l l.

Each of the slides or ejectors 20, 67, H and I3 in the present illustrative embodiment is of a. thickness equal to the thickness of two checks when superimposed flatwise. Consequently, by gravitation, there would be eight checks held by the four slide openingsat the lower end of the column of checks.

By means of the improvements of this invention the two checks lodged in the main slide 29 may be handled and ejected from the magazine through the chute l l without operating any of the auxiliary slides, or slide 61 may be oper-- ated conjointly with the main slide 20 to handle and dispense four checks simultaneously; orslides 61 and H may be operated conjointly with the main slide 20 for simultaneously dispensing six checks; or within the limits of thepresent embodiment of the invention all three auxiliary slides 61, H and 13 may be moved con-- jointly with the main slide 20 to dispense eightchecks simultaneously.

When the motor is energized by a suitableswitch and circuit not shown and with the control bar 44 having its stepped end drawn and. held by the lever 64 away from the ends of theauxiliary slides 61, H and 13, the main slide 25* operates to and fro alone through the gear drive connections described which through the pinwheel 32 drives the wall 24 and slide 20. As long as the motor operates the main slide 20 will reciprocate and dispense two checks on'eachv stroke or forward pass. When the motor isdeenergized the lever 34 pushes the slide 26 back. to its starting position. All the while that theslide 20 operates alone the carrier plate 38 and parts mounted thereon also reciprocate but thestepped end of the cross rack bar 44 merely passes by the proximate ends of the auxiliary slides which are retained in inoperative normal positions by the pull of their respective springs: in.

Normally, and when the slide 20 operates alone the stepped end of the rack bar 44 is so p'osi-- tioned and held by the lock pawl 52 that the: lower step 48 is positioned one rack bar stepaway from the adjacent end of the first auxiliary slide 61. Obviously, now, if it is desired to move the slide 51 conjointly with the main slide 29 it will be necessary to release the rack bar 44 and shift it one step so that the step 48 will lie in a position to abut and pick up the end of the slide 61 when the carriage 38 moves with the slide 20. Accordingly, by energizing the electromagnet 56 the armature 54 is attracted to raise the left hand tooth of the pawl lever 52 as viewed in Figure 5 and then the solenoid core 62 which is deenergized is pushed by its spring shown in Figure l, to swing the bell crank lever B4'to move the pin 43 and shift the freed rack bar 44 in a direction to cause the step 48 to be moved across the end of the slide 61. The magnet 55 will, of course, be but momentarily energized so that the spring 55 is immediately operative to swing the pawl lever 52 back to its rack bar locking position. This lever 52 is so proportioned that the right hand dog thereon, as viewed in Figure 5 controls the range of shift of the bar 44 whereby the said bar 44 canv move only far enough to place the step 48 in line with the slide 6'! and v so that the other steps 49 and 50 are not effec-- tive to engage the other slides H and 13 with G therewith and causing the step 48 to abut and i move the auxiliary slide 6'! conjeintly with the main slide 20 so that four checks will be dispensed from the magazine withevery pass of the two slides as long as the motor operates. In the meanwhile the springs Hi for the two auxiliary slides H and 13 hold the latter against operation in an obvious manner.

In a similar manner the rack bar may be :released by the electromagnet to enable the solenoid spring to operate the bell crank lever 64 "to shift the next step 452 into a position where :it will pick up and movethe slide H conjointly with the slides Zlland 61 to dispense six checks. In the same way the step 59 can be caused to .move the top slide 13 with the three slides 26, 6'! and H to dispense eight checks on every :stroke.

Sometimes because of Worn checks and re- ;sultant thickness variations when a column of checks eight checks high is moved, a ninth check on top of the column would serve to jamv the :slides. When this tendency occurs the top, or ininth check abuts against the compensator slide "15 and moves therewith and with the eight checks in the other four slides and is dispensed "therewith to prevent damage, or jamming.

In resetting the device so that only the main :slide 26 can function alone, the solenoid BI is energized by an appropriate switch and circuit 7 :not shown, whereupon the core 62 is drawn to .:swingthe bell crank lever 54 reversely and move the rack bar 44 in the opposite direction so as to 558i} back the steps where they will be positioned :so'that they cannot engage the auxiliary slides.

Any desired number of auxiliary ejectors, or

eslides, greater or less than the number herein shown, may be used without departing from the invention.

The device has great utility in many places "where checks or coins are to be handled. For j and such electrical mechanism has not been shown since it is deemed unnecessary to the purposes of this disclosure.

In game apparatus for amusement purposes the unit could be associated with such an organization as shown for example in Seiden et al. Patent 2,010,966 issued August 13, 1935. In such organization the coin chute used to release the game for play would controlcircuits to operate setting of the rack bar in, relation to the auxiliary slides.

It is the intention to. cover herein all changes andmodifications of the example shown for purposes of the disclosure which do not in material respects constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a check handling apparatus including an upright magazine and a main slide movable to and fro across one end thereof to receive and eject checks therefrom, a motor device having means to drive the main slide, the combination therewith of a pack of superimposed movable auxiliary slides operatively associated with the main slide and the magazine to receive and move additional checks from the magazine, and means carried on the main slide for moving one or more of the auxiliary slides when the main slide is moved, said last mentioned meansbeing movable crosswise of the path movement of the slides to engage the ends thereof and also being bodily movable with the main slide.

2. In a check handling apparatus including an upright magazine and a main slide movable to and fro across one end thereof to receive and eject checks therefrom, a motor device including means to drive the main slide, the combination therewith of a pack of superimposed auxiliary slides movable with the main slide in relation to the magazine to receive and move additional checks from the magazine, each slide being movable against the resisting force of resilient means, and means carried by and movable with the main slide to move one or more of, the auxiliary slides, said last mentioned means being also movable at right angles to the movement of the auxiliary slides for determining which of the latter are tov be moved with the main, slide.

3. In a check handling apparatus a base plate, a. block carried thereon having a passage formed therethrough, a pack of slides mounted on the base plate for movement through the passage in the block, said block carrying an upright check magazine with a stack of checks therein which gravitate into the block to be received and moved by theslides, one of the slides being a main slide and the others auxiliary slides, means for moving the main slide, and means movable bodily with the main slide and carried thereby tomove one or more or all of the auxiliary slides therewith to dispense checks fromthe magazine, said latter means comprising a translationally. movable member movable in a path substantially at right angles to the path of move-- ment of the-slides.

4. In a check handling apparatus a base plate, a block carried thereon having a passage formed therethrough, a pack of slides mounted on the base plate for movement through the passage in the block, said block carrying an upright check magazine'with a. stack of checks therein which gravitate intothe block to be received and moved by the slidesoneof the slides being a main slide and the others auxiliary slides, stops on the auxiliary slides, springs pulling the auxiliary slides in a direction to abut the, stops against the block, means for movingthe main slide to receive and. dispense a check from the magazine, and means carried on the main slide for simultaneously moving one or more or all of the auxiliary slides with the main slide against the pull of the springs to receive and dispense additional checks from the magazine, said last mentioned means being movable bodily, with the main slide and also having movement along a line crosswise of the path of movementof the slides.

, 5. In a check handling apparatus a base plate, a block carried thereonhaving a passage formed therethrough, a pack of slides mounted on the base'plate for movement through the passage .in the block, said block carrying an upright check magazine with a stack of checks therein which gravitate intothe block to be received and moved by. the slides, one of the slides being a main slide and the others auxiliary slides, means for moving the main slide, a carrier bodilyv movable with the main slide, and meansv on the carrier and movable therewith. to pick up and move one or more or all of theauxiliary slides when the main slide moves, said means on the carrier being mounted for translational movement along a line disposed substantially at a, right angle to the path of movement of, the slides.

5. In a. check handling apparatus including upright magazine and amain slide movable to and fro across one end thereof to receive and ejectchecks therefrom, a motor device including means to drive the main slide, the combination therewith of a pack, of. movable auxiliary slides carried above the main slide to receive and move 1 additional, checks from the magazine, a carrier on and. movable bodily with. the main slide, a ratchet device movably mounted onthe carrier for movement along a, line at right angles to the path of movement of, the slides and including means for positioning it to pick up one or more or all of the auxiliary slides for simultaneous movement with the main slide to receive and dispense checks from the magazine.

7. In acheck handling apparatus including an upright magazine anda main slide movable. to and fro across one end thereof to receive andv eject checks therefrom, a motor device. including means to drive the main slide, the,,combination therewith of apackof movable auxiliary slides carried above the main slide to receive and move additionalchecksfrom, the magazine, a carrier on and movable with the main slide, a normally locked movably mounted ratchet device carried on the carrier for movement along a line at right angles to the path of movement of theslides, and electromagnetic releaser means for positioning the ratchet device in one direction to pick up one ormore or all of the auxiliary slides for movement with the main slide whereby said slides con-jointly receive and dispense checks from the magazine.

8.,In combination, an upright check magazine having a main slide movable to and fro across the lower end of-the magazine to receive and remove checks therefrom, an auxiliary slide mounted above and parallel with the main slide for movement withqthe main slide to receive and eject additional checks from the-magazine, carrier means included in the main slide to one side thereof and. movabletherewith, an optionally movable member carried on the carrier means andmovable atsubstantially rightangles to the direction of -movement of. the slides, said. optionally movableimember adaptedtobe. positioned to abut and move the auxiliary slide conjointly with the main slide when the latter moves, and means to move the main slide.

9. In combination, an upright check magazine having a main slide movable to and fro across the lower end of the magazine to receive and remove checks therefrom, a number of auxiliary slides mounted above and parallel with the main slide for movement with respect to each other and for movement with the main slide to receive and eject additional checks from the magazine, the main slide including a lateral extension movable therewith and carrying an optionally movable member for movement in a path substantially at right angles to the path of movement of the slides, said optionally movable member being provided with a stepped end adapted to abut in one direction of movement one or more or all of the auxiliary slides to move same conjointly with the main slide, and means to move the main slide.

10. In a check handling apparatus, an upright check magazine, a main slide cooperable with the lower end thereof to eject a check therefrom, a motor having means to drive the main slide, the combination therewith of an auxiliary slide mounted above the main slide for movement to eject an additional check from the magazine, a manually controlled electromagnetically moved ratchet member in one direction of movement adapted to be set to cause the two slides to move conjointly, and means for oppositely moving the member to enable the main slide to operate alone.

11. In a check handling apparatus, an upright check magazine, a main slide cooperable with the lower end thereof to eject a check therefrom, a motor including means to drive the main slide, the combination therewith of an auxiliary slide mounted above the main slide for movement to eject an additional check from the magazine, a manually controlled electromagnetically moved ratchet member movable with the main slide and adapted in one direction of movement to be set to cause the two slides to move oonjointly, and means including an electromagnetic means for moving the member in an opposite direction to enable the main slide to operate alone.

12. In a check handling apparatus having a base carrying a motor device and an upright magazine containing the checks to be dispensed, the combination therewith of a plurality of superimposed ejector slides carried for movement in relation to the magazine to eject checks therefrom, a spring pulled lever pivotally carried on the base with the lever constantly engaging the lower slide, means included in the lower slide adapted to be moved by the motor device to cause the lower slide to be moved to ejector position in relation to the magazine against the pressure of the spring pulled lever, and means for causing any of the other slides in order from the bottom upwardly to move to ejection position with the lower slide,

said means being carried entirely on the lower slide for movement therewith and for additional translational movement crosswise in relation to the path of travel of the lower slide and formed for engaging respectively the ends of the upper slides.

13. Ina check dispenser having a magazine and a main slide movable in relation thereto to eject checks therefrom, an auxiliary slide carried loosely on the main slide for dispensing additional checks from the magazine, the combination with said main slide of a side extension plate rigidly connected thereto to move therewith, a bar carried on the plate for bodily movement therewith and also for relative movement along a line crosswise of the path of movement of the auxiliary slide, means movable with the plate for moving the bar relative to the plate to engage an end of the auxiliary slide in abutting relationship whereby when the main slide moves the auxiliary slide and parts on the extension plate move bodily therewith.

14. In a check dispenser having a magazine and a main slide movable in relation thereto to eject checks therefrom, an auxiliary slide carried loose- 1y on the main slide for dispensing additional checks from the magazine, the combination with said main slide of a side extension plate rigidly connected thereto to move therewith, a rack bar carried on the plate for bodily movement therewith and also for relative movement along a line crosswise of the path of movement of the auxiliary slide, means yieldingly'urging said rack bar from an inoperative position to a position in end abutting relationship to the auxiliary slide, an escapement for locking said bar against such crosswise movement, and electromagnetic means for releasing the escapement to cause the bar to move to the position abutting the auxiliary slide whereby when the main slide moves the auxiliary slide will move therewith.

15. In a check dispenser having a magazine and a main slide movable in relation thereto to eject a check therefrom, a superimposed pack of auxiliary slides carried on the main slide and adapted for movement therewith to dispense additional checks, the combination with said main slide of an extension plate carried thereby for movement therewith, a rack bar carried on the plate for bodily movement therewith and also for relative movement crosswise of the path of movement of the auxiliary slides, the bar having a stepped end adjacent the slides, means for urging said bar to a position where the stepped end thereof will be moved successively to abut the ends of the auxiliary slides, an escapement cooperable with the rack bar to hold it against such crosswise movement, means to release the escapement in a manner to cause the stepped end of the bar to engage an auxiliary slide for each step of movement of the bar in one direction whereby when the main slide operates such auxiliary slides as are abutted by the stepped end of the bar will move therewith, and means for moving the bar in an opposite direction to enable the bar to be resetin an inoperative position to enable the main slide to operate alone.

16. In a check handling apparatus having an upright magazine containing checks to be dispensed and a main slide movable to and fro across its lower end to receive and remove a check from the magazine, an auxiliary slide carried adjacent the main slide for similar to and fro movement with respect to the magazine to receive and remove an additional check from the magazine, and means to move the main slide, the combination with said auxiliary slide of means to move the auxiliary slide optionally with the main slide, said means comprising a member carried on and for movement with the main slide, said means further having independent translational movement crosswise of the path of movement of the main slide, and means to move the said means crosswise as stated to a position abutting an end of the auxiliary slide. 7

CHARLES J. BREITE-NSTEIN. DONALD E. HOOKER. 

